Method and system for transmitting audio signals to exercise machines of a training class

Abstract

A method transmits audio signals to exercise machines of a training class including providing a control unit accessible to a trainer user managing a training class. Exercise machines operatively connect to the control unit by a data communication network. The exercise machines include a first group of exercise machines used in the training class. The control unit and each exercise machine of the first group establish a data communication channel for transmitting audio signals between the control unit and the first group of exercise machines. The control unit receives a first audio signal representative of a voice control by the trainer user and a second audio signal representative of a piece of music selected by the trainer user. The control unit sends the encoded first and second audio signals to all exercise machines of the first group of exercise machines by the communication channel.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for transmitting audio signals to exercise machines of a training class, comprising steps of:
 providing a control unit accessible to a trainer user appointed with managing a training class; 
 providing a plurality of exercise machines operatively connected to the control unit by a data communication network, the plurality of exercise machines comprising a first group of exercise machines, the first group of exercise machines being configured to be used in the training class; 
 establishing, by the control unit and each exercise machine of the first group of exercise machines, a data communication channel for transmitting audio signals between the control unit and the first group of exercise machines of the plurality of exercise machines; 
 receiving, by the control unit, at least one among a first audio signal representative of a voice control imparted by the trainer user and a second audio signal representative of a piece of music selected by the trainer user; 
 adjusting, by the control unit by a control received from the trainer user, volume of the first audio signal independently of volume of the second audio signal; 
 sending, by the control unit, the at least one among the first audio signal and the second audio signal to all exercise machines of the first group of exercise machines by the respective data communication channel for transmitting audio signals. 
 
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of sending comprises a step of encoding, by the control unit, the at least one among the first audio signal and the second audio signal. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of receiving comprises a step of receiving, by the control unit, both the first audio signal representative of a voice control imparted by the trainer user and the second audio signal representative of a piece of music selected by the trainer user. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the step of sending comprises a step of sending, by the control unit, the first audio signal and the second audio signal mixed with each other, to all exercise machines of the first group of exercise machines by the respective data communication channel for transmitting audio signals. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the step of sending comprises steps of:
 mixing, by the control unit, the first audio signal and the second audio signal with each other; 
 coding, by the control unit, the first audio signal and the second audio signal mixed with each other. 
 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of adjusting comprises adjusting the volume before the step of sending. 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step of decoding, by each exercise machine of the first group of exercise machines, the at least one among the first audio signal and the second audio signal received from the control unit by the respective data communication channel for transmitting audio signals. 
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step of decoding, by each exercise machine of the first group of exercise machines, the at least one among the first audio signal and the second audio signal received from the control unit by the respective data communication channel for transmitting audio signals, the step of decoding comprising a step of decoding the first audio signal and the second audio signal, mixed with each other and encoded, received from the control unit by the respective data communication channel for transmitting audio signals. 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 7 , comprising a step of providing a respective user, by each exercise machine of the first group of exercise machines, with the at least one among the first audio signal and the second audio signal. 
     
     
       10. A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the step of providing comprises a step of simultaneously providing the respective user, by each exercise machine of the first group of exercise machines, with the first audio signal and the second audio signal. 
     
     
       11. A method according to  claim 10 , comprising a step of controlling, by each exercise machine of the first group of exercise machines, on command of the respective user, volume of the first audio signal and of the second audio signal mixed with each other and decoded by the respective exercise machine. 
     
     
       12. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of establishing comprises a step of transmitting, by the control unit, an invitation signal to a streaming audio service made available by the control unit, the invitation signal comprising a first piece of information representative of the streaming audio service, a second piece of information representative of the control unit, a third piece of information representative of a communication port number of the control unit for the streaming audio service. 
     
     
       13. A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the step of establishing further comprises a step of recognizing, by each exercise machine of the first group of exercise machines, the invitation signal. 
     
     
       14. A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the step of establishing further comprises a step of sending to the control unit, by each exercise machine of the first group of exercise machines, in response to the invitation signal, a respective acceptance signal of the invitation to a streaming audio service made available by the control unit, the acceptance signal comprising a first piece of information indicative of the exercise machine of the first group of exercise machines. 
     
     
       15. A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of establishing further comprises steps of:
 receiving, by the control unit, the acceptance signals of the streaming audio service made available by the control unit sent by each exercise machine of the first group of exercise machines; 
 storing in a respective memory unit, by the control unit, a list of the first pieces of information contained in each acceptance signal received; 
 sending, by the control unit, in response to the acceptance signal, to each exercise machine of the first group of exercise machines, an establishment signal of the data communication channel for transmitting audio signals, the establishment signal of the data communication channel for transmitting audio signals comprising a first piece of information indicative of the control unit and a second piece of information representative of a communication port number of the control unit reserved for an exercise machine of the first group of exercise machines for the streaming audio service. 
 
     
     
       16. A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of establishing further comprises a step of accessing, by each exercise machine of the first group of exercise machines, on the basis of the acceptance signal received and of information contained in the acceptance signal received, the data communication channel for transmitting audio signals. 
     
     
       17. A system for transmitting audio signals to exercise machines of a training class, comprising:
 a control unit of a training class, the control unit being accessible to a trainer user appointed with managing the training class; 
 a plurality of exercise machines operatively connected to the control unit by a data communication network, the plurality of exercise machines comprising a first group of exercise machines, the first group of exercise machines being configured to be used in the training class; 
 the control unit being configured to:
 establish with each exercise machine of the first group of exercise machines a data communication channel for transmitting audio signals between the control unit and the first group of exercise machines of the plurality of exercise machines; 
 receive at least one among a first audio signal representative of a voice control imparted by the trainer user and a second audio signal representative of a piece of music selected by the trainer user; 
 adjust, by a control received from the trainer user, volume of the first audio signal independently of volume of the second audio signal; 
 send the at least one among the first audio signal and the second audio signal to all exercise machines of the first group of exercise machines by the respective data communication channel for transmitting audio signals. 
 
 
     
     
       18. The system according to  claim 17 , wherein control unit is configured to adjust the volume of the first audio signal and then send the at least one among the first audio signal and the second audio signal.